Macklemore
Macklemore: A Rapper with a Purpose
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Benjamin Haggerty, professionally known as Macklemore, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is also known by his alter ego Macklemore & Ryan Lewis when collaborating with fellow musician Ryan Lewis.
Birth and Death Dates
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Macklemore was born on June 19, 1983, in Seattle, Washington. There is no recorded information about him passing away.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Macklemore holds American nationality and is a professional rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Macklemore was exposed to hip-hop music at an early age. His parents were hippies who encouraged his creativity and love for music. He attended Nathan Hale High School and later graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in theater.
Major Accomplishments
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Macklemore's breakthrough came in 2011 when he released the independent single "Thrift Shop," which became a massive hit, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. This success led to him signing with Universal Republic Records and releasing his debut album, The Heist, in 2012. The album featured collaborations with Ryan Lewis and sold over 2 million copies.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Macklemore's notable works include:
The album The Heist (2012)
The album This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016)
The single "Same Love," which became a hit and sparked conversations about same-sex marriage
His music often touches on themes of social justice, equality, and personal growth
Impact and Legacy
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Macklemore's impact on the music industry is undeniable. He has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards for Best New Artist in 2014 and Best Rap Album for The Heist in 2014. His commitment to social justice has also made him a respected figure among fans.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Macklemore's music and message have resonated with fans worldwide, making him one of the most quoted and remembered artists today. His ability to combine catchy melodies with meaningful lyrics has cemented his place in hip-hop history.
Quotes by Macklemore
Macklemore's insights on:
There's this tendency to be like, 'Where's the negative stuff? How valid is the criticism?' But honestly, what people think of me is none of my business. If I live on the Internet looking for public approval, I'm going to be miserable.
I think that, as a white person stepping into doing any sort of anti-systematic-racism type of work, asking yourself, 'What is your intention?' needs to happen on a consistent basis. Check yourself. Check yourself. Check yourself, like, constantly.
It's really not about me. At the end of the day, God willing, I'll have another 40 or 50 years on this planet, and what I'm saying to myself is, 'What do I want to leave here?'
When you mess up publicly, it can be difficult to get vulnerable again or to put yourself out there.
I don't want to look back and be like, 'You had it all, and you weren't even present for it. You weren't able to enjoy it.' I want to be here, be now and be grateful.
I definitely use 'smiling while rapping' as a tool in the booth. I want to have fun while recording.
The reason why I meditate and pray in general is just to remind myself that it is not about me.
The question is, What type of human do I want to be? How do I want to use my platform? Do I want to be safe, under the umbrella of my white privilege? Or do I want to push back and resist?
It's weird because music is this thing that you love doing, and it comes completely from a place of creativity, and then that transfers into having to manage a business and make decisions and figure out what is the best route to go in terms of getting your product to as many people as possible.